Malawi Council for Disability Affairs (MACODA) has asked the government to prioritise disability responsive budgeting, warning that inadequate funding to Disability Trust Fund (DTF) poses a serious threat to the realization of disability inclusive development.
Disability inclusive development is espoused by the Malawi 2063 (MW2063), United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Global Disability Summit (GDS).
Chiusiwa making a presentation before players in the disability rights sector
But there is a fear that Malawi will not fulfill its commitments to the achievement of these goals because of lack of adequate financing towards DTF.
In his presentation at the on-going DRT Grantee Convening Workshop currently underway in Lilongwe, MACODA Director General (DG), George Chiusiwa, observed that despite existence of various services, persons with disabilities face barriers to access services that they require such as health, education, empowerment, and social, as a result, they lag behind in various aspects of life.
Chiusiwa therefore asked stakeholders in the disability rights sector to lobby for increased DTF funding, stating that prevailing funding inadequacies for the DTF are a key deficiency towards realising the spirit of the (United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), African Disability Protocol (ADP) and the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2024.
“The UNCRPD requires member states to adopt and implement appropriate legislative, administrative and other measures to ensure and promote the full realization of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for their citizens with any forms of disability. Therefore, advocacy and lobbying for disability inclusive national budget analyses should be encouraged to improve government funding for disability programming,” he said.
A cross-section of the players in the disability rights sector following a presentation by MACODA Director General George Chiusiwa
This notwithstanding, Chiusiwa commended the government for operationalizing DTF, saying the fund will play a crucial role in supporting the implementation of disability programmes and provision of disability services in Malawi.
Among others, Chiusiwa said, DTF aims to finance research and training which promotes objectives of the Act and protection of PWDs, acquisition of land, equipment, materials and other assets for the benefits of PWDs.
The fund will also support implementation of, or provision of, any activity, programme, service or amenity which benefits persons with disabilities.
The Lilongwe Chapter of the Malawi alumni of the Global Health Corps have donated assorted medical drugs to Mitundu Community Hospital to ease the pressure the facility continues to face as a result of rapid population growth in communities surrounding it.
The alumni also conducted screening services for various ailments.
Alumni of the GHC pose for a photo after the screening services
Speaking to Nyasa Times in an interview after the donation, Global Health Corps Country Director, Simon Simkoko, the donation was part of the activities the organization had chosen to do as a way of giving back to the community.
Simkoko added that they conducted screening services to enable people know their health statuses, stressing that early detection and treatment of diseases is critical in eliminating them.
Among others, the people got screened for chronic diseases such as cervical cancer, sexual transmitted infections (STIs), HIV and mental health.
“We have still an issue to mobilise people because not all people have responded to this. What we think as Malawians, we need to encourage people to come for screening services. We have to make sure their health is good,” said Simkoko.
Mitundu Hospital serves around 6, 000 people, a figure the facilitator in-charge, Danford Chilambula, described as huge.
Chilambula therefore thanked Global Health Corps alumni for donating to the facility.
The alumni spent around MK5 million on donation and screening services.
Good road network plays a crucial role in improving agricultural production and productivity, and providing assurance for the supply of the agricultural inputs and facilitates the delivery of the farm outputs to the markets.
Farmers who have access to the bigger markets, on average, produce high crop yield. However, this has not been the case with Malawian farmers because, for decades, badly rutted and muddy roads have increased the cost of transporting agricultural materials and farm workers to farm as well as the movement of farm produce to market.
This has, in turn, contributed to the high cost of transportation for agricultural produce thereby increasing food prices and driving inflation upwards.
But things are set to improve following the launch and implementation of the Millennium Challenge Compact II (MCC) Project, which aims at addressing the high price of road freight transport service and access to land for investment.
Through the Accelerated Growth Corridors Project, the Government of Malawi aims to reduce the barriers between farm and market by improving road conditions, encouraging a more transparent and competitive business environment for transporters, and addressing first mile transportation challenges for smallholder farmers.
Hence, in his speech at the groundbreaking ceremony, which took place at Mzonde Ground in the area of Traditional Authority Kalolo in Lilongwe, President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera reiterated his determination to implement various strategies to stimulate agricultural sector development by improving rural accessibility through the provision of rural road infrastructure and improved transport services.
President Chakwera (L) at the groundbreaking Ceremony
Chakwera said he will do so even when this does not please some unpatriotic citizens.
“In many ways, being a President is like being a parent. Even if your intentions are good, you should be sure that the good you are doing for the child, may be that the child is insulting them and seeing you as bad. For example, which parent in this country does not know that when a child is sick, you should let them hate you when you inject them with a vaccine or medicine at the doctor?
“Who in this country is a parent who does not know that when the doctor gives you medicine to drink, you have to let him hate you when you force him to drink it against his will? But even if this is the case, only a fool would make the decision to stop giving the child injections and medicine because the child feels pain or because the child, should you let him hate you when you force him to drink against his will? But even if this is the case, only a fool would make the decision to stop giving the child injections and medicine because the child feels pain or because the child does not want to and cannot speak,” he said.
President Chakwera said it is for this reason that when he was ushered into office in 2020, the first thing he did was to call Mr. Sean Caincross, who was the Head of the Millennium Challenge Corporation, to inform him about the sorry state of public roads in Malawi.
The President said he was, however, surprised that his first trip to America drew insults and noise from the opposition.
“They say don’t go there Mr. President. It is said that the money spent on the trip will be wasted. They say we know that you have not done anything there. They say we know what is in your heart, that you are going there to eat oranges. They say, they say, they say, they say. Sounds like a child being vaccinated. But I, as a parent, went, and Mrs. Alice Albright reached out to them, and we agreed on what to do. After seven months, Mrs. Alice Albright called me again, let the President hear the first documents of our agreement, we have finished, come and sign, so I left again, but then there was the noise of the injection that was going on in the country, but I went, and we signed that the American government would give us 700 billion dollars for tomorrow to build these roads. Last month, mother Alice Albright called me again, let the President listen to the second documents of our agreement, we have finished, come and sign each other, so I left for the third trip to the nursery to inject the child, allowing to be called insulting names,” said Chakwera.
The Malawi leader thanked the U.S. Government for responding positively to his request for the assistance.
Minister of Trade and Industry, Sosten Gwengwe, has commended the National Smallholder Farmers’ Association of Malawi (NASFAM) for championing and promoting value addition initiatives in the agriculture sector.
Gwengwe said the value addition initiatives that NASFAM has undertaken have helped the government to achieve increased income for smallholder farmers, creating employment, improving food safety and security, nutrition benefits and greater consumer confidence.
Gwengwe–The government appreciates the role NASFAM plays in growing the economy through agriculture–Photo courtesy of NASFAM Communications Department
The minister was speaking in Lilongwe when he officially opened the seventh Annual General Meeting (AGM) for the organization. The AGM drew member farmers from all associations affiliated to NASFAM across the country and was held under the theme, “Improving Smallholder Farmers’ Market Access through Value Addition.”
The theme aligns with the Malawi 2063 pillar on Agricultural Productivity and Commercialization agenda, which is being championed by President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera.
Gwengwe said his ministry will continue providing a conducive environment to ensure that smallholder farmers in the country, including NASFAM members, are able to trade and get maximum benefit from their hard work.
“Considering that trade is a powerful engine for economic growth and poverty reduction, we need more farmer organizations like NASFAM to mobilize and organize farmers, build a resilient producer base ready to engage in value addition, and address market challenges. These organizations are the backbone of agricultural development in Malawi, providing platforms for farmers to collaborate, access essential resources, and improve their agricultural practices,” said the minister.
A cross-section of the NASFAM farmers who attended the Annual General Meeting, which took place in LIlongwe–Photo courtesy of NASFAM Communications Department
According to Gwengwe, the contributions of NASFAM to the agriculture sector significantly complement government efforts, advancing the socio-economic development of the farmers and the sector at large.
He acknowledged that farmer organizations are pivotal in enhancing agricultural productivity and commercialization.
“Malawi 2063 emphasizes the transformation from subsistence to commercial agriculture, aiming for increased productivity and profitability. NASFAM is actively realizing this vision with remarkable success. By providing farmers with access to quality inputs, modern farming technologies, and comprehensive extension services, NASFAM enables farmers to produce more and become competitive on both the local and international markets.
“This aligns perfectly with our National Trade Policy, which underscores Government’s commitment to make trade a tool for sustainable socio-economic development and poverty reduction. Enabling our farmers to produce more and sell their products competitively will enhance improved livelihoods and will contribute to economic stability, which is vital for our national development,” said Gwenge.
Speaking earlier, NASFAM Board Chairperson Brian Jere lamented the influx of unscrupulous vendors roaming around in the communities, buying farm produce at very low prices particularly in very remote areas where farmers find it hard to reach profitable markets.
Jere also complained of unfair competition on the local market from smuggled goods, which he said makes it difficult for them to sell their produce and products.
“Smuggled goods are cheaper because they do not pay taxes. This makes Malawian smallholder farmers lose out on their investments because such smuggled goods reduce demand for our products. In addition to that, lack of quality consciousness by some traders has made it difficult to enforce quality standards. They buy anything presented to them, making it difficult to enforce quality standards, a thing that has made Malawi lose some profitable markets internationally,” he said.
Nonetheless, Jere implored member farmers to embrace collective marketing to leverage on collective transportation to better bargain for better prices.
In her remarks, NASFAM Chief Executive Officer Dr. Betty Chinyamunyamu highlighted some of the achievements the association made during the previous year.
Chinyamunyamu said, among others, that NASFAM made commendable strides in improving market access for smallholder farmers across various value chains, including rice, groundnuts, maize, soya, and chilli.
She said overall, commodities worth MK 3.7 billion were traded through the NASFAM system, surpassing the annual target of MK 2 billion by 83 percent.
“After five successive years of NASCOMEX (a major off taker of commodities produced by smallholder farmers) registering net losses, its financial performance took a landmark turning point during the year, with the company returning to overall profitability. NASCOMEX’s return to profitability is a step in the right direction to achieving one of the three key results of the project: financial sustainability,” she said.
Chinyamunyamu also disclosed that NASCOMEX secured a contract to supply Corn-Soya Blend (CSB) to Mary’s meals- a leading school meals provider, which led to the increase in the demand for maize and soya from members.
President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera has urged university graduates to start paying back loans immediately they start earning an income, stressing that this will enable the government to sustain the provision of the support to needy students.
Chakwera made the remarks during the graduation of the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS) on Wednesday.
He emphasized that just as he listened to the cry for an increase in upkeep allowance from K350, 000 to K560,000 per student per year, he expected the beneficiaries to pay the loan back as soon as they begin to earn an income following their graduation.
“In so doing, you will enable us to sustain the provision of this support to the innovators who are still studying in our universities, as well as the innovators who are yet to come to our universities,” he said.
President Chakwera being installed as MUBAS Chancellor
Chakwera also said he expected the graduates to marry innovations they will create using the skills they have gained at the university with a spirit of entrepreneurship in order to turn their innovations into wealth creation engines that create jobs for other Malawians.
He said it is his dream that as the world gathers for the Summit of the Future in New York this September, the investments in innovation that the country courts from there will be investments graduates will be ready to compete for with their innovative ideas.
“My dream is that your innovations will be scaled up to impact the rest of the continent and the rest of the world. My dream is that you will remember that in our primary and secondary schools are millions of youth that need your inspiration, your mentorship, your example, and your support to follow the path you are blazing here today. My dream is that you will never stop dreaming and never stop pursuing innovations designed,” narrated the President.
Political and governance activists have demanded that Edward Kambanje and his grouping, Concerned Citizens of Malawi, should provide evidence substantiating allegations that Regina Chithyola bought 20 posh cars used money stolen from the public service.
The demand follows a decision by Kambanje and his Concerned Citizens of Malawi to prod the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to investigate Regina, a daughter to the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Simplex Chithyola Banda, on possible theft of public resources.
Kambanje and the Concerned Citizens of Malawi argued that Regina is displaying her sudden extensive wealth at a time Malawians are struggling for forex and wrestling against themselves to fetch for the very basics of life like food.
They therefore demanded that ACB should institute a probe to establish her source of wealth.
But reacting to the development, political and governance activists have questioned the motive behind the demand and how the citizenry would benefit from it.
The political and governance activists, trading under the name Mbadwa Zokhudzidwa and led by Fredrick Billy Malata, expressed their discontentment in the way how fragile the civil society sector has become when it comes to matters of national concern.
Malata argued that while Malawi is a democratic state where people are not limited to enjoy freedom of expression and opinion, CSO leaders need to be mindful of the provision of Bill of Rights under Chapter 4 of the Republican Constitution where it is clear that every person is obliged to enjoyment of freedoms as detected.
“We are shocked with revelations that were contained in a letter by Concerned Citizens of Malawi, dated 25th December, 2024 under reference number 021/230524/02. addressed to the Director General of Anti-corruption bureau. In the letter, it is alleged that a 24 year girl by the name Regina Chithyola, who is a daughter to Minister of Finance has bought 20 posh cars within a very short period of time when her father is a Minister. We are informed that the letter in circulation to ACB carries a name, signature and contact number of one by the name Queen Kapalamula who is part of us here, was put without her consent,” he said.
Malata described the allegations against Regina as being tantamount to draw the interest of the public as well as intellectually traumatizing to the young girl of 24 years.
“It is therefore our considered view that the Concerned Citizens of Malawi should bring out authentic evidence to justify the allegations that are leveled against Regina Chithyola. We believe the availability of evidence will help us and all Malawians of good will to join them in pursuing this matter further. To the contrary, in the absence of this critical evidence now, it shall emphatically means that these allegations are based on mere speculation as a result of political fights by top officials in the political set up knowing the daughter in question belongs to a politician. We are of the view that in a perioc of 72 hours from now; the Concerned Citizens of Malawi should come out with all gathered evidence against Regina Chithyola so that law enforcemen. agencies can do their job based on the evidence, otherwise we as Mbadwa Zokhudzidwa will be compelled to seek a legal redress noting that there is an infringement on the rights of a young girl,” he said.
“We believe whatever is happening is simple politics aimed at destroying each other at a time when unity of purpose is paramount. We are convinced to say that the battles that have engulfed many political parties in the country are resulting into fights as evident by the matter at hand. However, as you fight would be pleasing to advise that family members of those fighting should ne become part of the fight in any way,” he continued.
Malata warned that should Concerned Citizens of Malawi fail to provide evidence to ACB within 72 hours so that this matter can be easily probed, they will seek court redress on the matter.
“We call upon ACB to act based on the provided evidence so that we avoid scenarios where Malawians are becoming footers of negligence of other people. We call upon CSO leaders to be agents of positive change through promotion of evidence based advocacy, transparency and accountability,” he emphasized.
Kambanje could not be immediately reached for a comment.
Governance and Human Rights Advocate Undule Mwakasungula has described the US$80 million grant from the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA) to the Government of Malawi as an endorsement for the country’s fiscal reforms.
On Thursday, IDA wrote the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Simplex Chithyola Banda, informing him about the decision by its Board of Directors to approve US$80 million to the Republic of Malawi for the Fiscal Governance Program for Results.
According to the communication, the grant has been made on an absence-of-objection basis.
Reacting to the news, Mwakasungula said the approval of such a huge amount of money to the people of Malawi is a conformation to the confidence the international community has in Malawi’s ongoing efforts to enhance fiscal governance and economic management.
“This support from the World Bank is global recognition of Malawi’s strides towards improving its economic environment. It highlights the country’s commitment to promoting transparency, effective resource mobilization, and prudent budget execution. These are important pillars for sustainable development and economic stability,” he said.
Mwakasungula stated that the approval of this grant is a direct result of the relentless efforts of Malawi’s leadership, particularly President Dr Laura Chakwera and commendable work of the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Honourable Simplex Chithyola Banda.
Mwakasungula: The grant is an endorsement for the country’s fiscal reforms
He acknowledged that Banda’s strategic vision and dedication to reforming fiscal policies have been key in securing this international support. This grant is not just a financial boost but a validation of the reforms and policies being implemented under his stewardship.
“For Malawians, this support from the World Bank heralds a new era of fiscal responsibility and economic growth. It promises a more transparent and efficient public finance system, which is important for attracting further investments and promoting an environment conducive to sustainable development. The grant is expected to promote various government initiatives aimed at improving public service delivery, infrastructure development, and social programs that directly benefit the most vulnerable populations.
“Moreover, the successful acquisition of this grant is a clear indication that Malawi is on the right path. It reflects the positive outcomes of the government’s efforts in engaging with international partners and implement sound economic policies. This achievement for sure should instill a sense of pride and optimism among Malawians, reinforcing the belief that collective efforts towards good governance and economic reform can yield tangible benefits,” stressed Mwakasungula.
President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera has complained that the desire among Malawians to import goods from foreign countries is undermining government efforts to grow the economy.
Chakwera said this on Wednesday when he opened a trade fair in Blantyre. The trade fair is an annual event being organized by the Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI) in collaboration with Malawi Investment and Trade Centre (MITC).
In his speech at the opening of this year’s exhibition, President Chakwera complained about the practice of importing goods from abroad without selling the country’s goods abroad sufficiently, which he said is undermining the country’s economy.
“So, every businessperson must know that if you buy or order more goods than you are selling, your business goes down. So, if we take Malawi as a business, then our business has been going down for a long time because we are buying more goods than what we are selling. For example, in March last year, imports exceeded exports with a level of 177.7 million dollars, while in the same month this year the level increased to 194.4 million dollars, showing that the problem is still serious,” he said.
Chakwera also criticized the tendency by some local businesspeople to get foreign currency to buy foreign goods without replenishing the foreign currency by selling goods to foreign countries.
He said this is what his government has been working hard to change.
“One of the things that we are trying to change is to increase the amount of agricultural products that we sell through the large Mega Farms and to promote irrigation, because one of the things that has been driving down the agricultural trade is to insist on farming that waits for the rains and plowing, which cannot be done due to climate change. And those that only produce a small amount of food. That’s why this week, I launched a program to help farmers get tractors, and it’s also because we’re launching irrigated agriculture schemes in all provinces,” he said.
President Chakwera said the purpose of commercial agriculture is to increase the country’s exports so that farmers can benefit.
President Chakwera speaking during the opening of the trade fair
He dismissed assertions by some people that agriculture is not lucrative in Malawi, citing tobacco farmers who this year are earning good prices at the market because the government is fighting for them to sell their tobacco at a better price than before.
“And you businessmen who are buying this tobacco, I thank you for encouraging the agricultural business to continue to be hot, and I also thank the owners of the farmers for working hard and following the advice of modern agriculture.
“It is only a matter of time before what is happening in the tobacco farming business is extended to the business of growing other seeds that we want to help you sell to other countries. The benefits of this are already happening and the results are already being seen. But in order for this to change the economy of the country, we the government and you in the private sector have to join hands to speed things up together. And we, the government, are ready to develop businesses and give them the ability to sell their goods to other countries. And for business development and access to foreign markets, we are not only developing agricultural businesses, because the vision of increasing the economy in this country cannot be achieved by agriculture alone,” Chakwera emphasized.
Meanwhile, Chakwera has encouraged businessmen to take advantage of the opportunities this country offers through the opening of markets through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), (COMESA) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) as well as China.
The Board of Executive Directors of the International Development Association (IDA), a subsidiary of the World Bank, has approved on an absence-of objection basis a grant in the amount of US$80 million to the Republic of Malawi for the Fiscal Governance Program for Results.
In his letter to the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Simplex Chithyola Banda, which has been copied to the Secretary to the Treasury, Dr. Betchani Tchereni, the IDA Executive Director Floribert Ngaruko, said the grant will be on standard IDA grant terms.
Ngaruko stated that the objective of the operation is to improve the effectiveness of resource mobilization, budget execution, and transparency of public finances in Malawi.
He said the operation will, among others, focus on improving public resource mobilization through increased value-added tax revenue collection and voluntary tax compliance; strengthening budget prioritization and execution by improving Public Investment Management (with a climate-sensitive focus), enhancing procurement efficiency, and operationalizing IFMIS.
The grant will further help in enhancing resource transparency and accountability across the Government of Malawi with a focus on State Owned Enterprises, beneficial ownership transparency, and increased responsiveness to the audit process, according to the communication.
“I wish you, Honorable Governor and the Government of the Republic of Malawi, success in the implementation of this project. Please accept, Honorable Governor, the assurances of my highest consideration,” thus concludes Ngaruko’s letter.
Governance and Human Rights Advocate Undule Mwakasungula has welcomed government decision to appoint Dr. Kizito Tenthani as Malawi’s first Registrar of Political Parties, describing it as a sign of growth of the country’s democracy.
Mwakasungula said Tenthani’s appointment is a big step forward in promoting democracy and strengthening political institutions in Malawi.
“This is an appointment every democrat will applaud the leadership and government for as commitment to our democracy,” he said, adding: “The establishment of the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties, represents a crucial turning point in ensuring transparency, accountability, and professionalism within Malawi’s political space.”
The revered human rights fighter further stated that the appointment of Dr. Tenthani is a cause for great celebration because of his extensive experience and proven commitment to democratic development make him an ideal candidate for this critical role.
Mwakasungula: Tenthani’s appointment symbolizes the country’s growth in democracy
Mwakasungula stressed that the registrar’s office will play an important role in regulating political party operations, enhancing a more level playing field for all parties, and ultimately strengthening Malawi’s democratic institutions hence the importance of his appointment.
“It will therefore be the interest of every Malawian to see that the government provides the Registrar’s office with the necessary resources and support to fulfill its mandate effectively. At the same time for all political parties to cooperate fully with the Registrar to ensure the success of this important office. The appointment of Dr. Tenthani, no argument, marks a new chapter in Malawi’s democratic space and it is the duty of all Malawians to ensure that the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties works without interference in its role of strengthening Malawi’s democracy for the benefit of all Malawians,” he concluded.
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